Absentee voting begins today

Voters to choose mayor, assembly, School Board candidates Oct. 6

Absentee ballots are available starting today for the Oct. 6 Juneau municipal election, with absentee-in-person voting beginning today as well.

Election day is Tuesday, Oct. 6, with polls open at eight sites around town.

There have been no changes in Juneau's 15 polling place locations since the 2008 general election.

While the municipal elections are run by the City and Borough of Juneau, they use the same polling places and sometimes the same workers as the state elections.

Voters unsure of where to vote can call the state Division of Elections automated polling place locator at 1-888-383-8683 and enter their social security number or voter ID number.

There also is an online polling place locator at http://webapp. state.ak.us/electionspolling/voterpollingplace.jsp

Voters can also cast a "questioned" ballot at any polling place, even it if is not theirs, said Laurie Sica, Juneau municipal clerk.

"If they go to a polling place and they are not on the register (for that location) they are asked to cast a questioned ballot," Sica said.

The questioned ballot will be counted later after it is confirmed.

Absentee-in-person voting begins today at City Hall and at the Mendenhall Mall. Sica said those intending to vote in that manner should bring either their Voter ID card or other government-issued identification.

All Juneau residents can vote in all races in this election. While Assembly candidates in some cases run to represent certain districts, all city voters vote in all races.

On the ballot are the position of mayor, two Assembly positions and three School Board positions.

Voters seeking absentee ballots or who wish to vote by fax can call the municipal clerk at 586-5278. The clerk's office is at City Hall, 155 S. Seward Street, Room 202.